Domestic violence is a continually growing problem in the United States. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner, which equates to more than 10 million victims— both women and men— each year. It is even a problem in Benicia, where the police department has received 59 calls so far this year and 81 in 2015.

As October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Soroptimist International of Benicia— an organization aimed at improving the lives of women and girls— will be hosting its annual Domestic Violence Vigil in City Park.

According to Soroptimist International member Nancy Martinez, Benicia’s group had been invited by Soroptimist International of Central Solano County over the years for its domestic violence silent vigil outside the Solano County Courthouse in Fairfield.

“Because we’re all getting off work and want to come home back to Benicia, we thought ‘Why don’t we have our own,’” she said. “We could have it in our own backyard instead of another city.”

The first domestic violence vigil in Benicia was held in 2010, and people have been carrying banners and reflecting silently in the park each year to raise awareness of the many victims of domestic abuse.

“Our goal is to eventually have enough people out there to wrap around the whole park,” Martinez said.

As the vigil will be held the same evening as Benicia High School’s Homecoming Parade along First Street, Martinez is hoping to see a better turnout than usual.

“Last year, we had 62 people come out,” she said. “We’re hoping to increase that by 30.”

The silent vigil will be held from 6 to 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 12 at City Park, located at the corner of First Street and Military West. Participants are encouraged to meet at 5:30 p.m. and bring banners and balloons as well as wear purple, the official color of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Martinez at 745-9791 or Soroptimist International Vice President Donna Ernst at 746-4216.

One of Soroptimist International of Benicia’s goals is to raise money for a safe house in Benicia, something the city does not have although both Fairfield and Vacaville have domestic violence shelters. To help launch this project, the club will be hosting a holiday grocery raffle at the organization’s Sip with Soroptimist wine tasting fundraiser, 7 to 10 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 12 at the Clock Tower. Proceeds will benefit the establishment of a shelter, and the raffle winner will receive a $1,000 Raley’s gift card. Tickets for this event are $10 and can be purchased at Benicia Main Street, located at 90 First St. For more information, contact Martinez or Ernst at the above numbers.

Sharing is caring!